Kentucky Reading and Writing RI.7.8
The Standard
Identify and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.
Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing (2025) · Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students mark what a writer wants readers to believe and the smaller points used to make that case. They check whether the facts fit those points, whether there are enough facts, and whether the conclusion follows.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given an article arguing for later school starts, a student can identify the writer's position and two supporting claims. They can explain why one student's improved grades might fit the argument but cannot prove a benefit for everyone.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat an opinion or a number with no source as proof. They may think one example settles a broad claim or assume a conclusion follows just because it comes after a fact.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: 'Later starts raise everyone's grades because my cousin's grades rose after her school changed its start time.' Ask students to underline the claim, circle the evidence, and explain whether it fits, is enough, and proves the conclusion.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Print a six-sentence letter arguing for longer lunch, then have pairs use three colors to mark the position, smaller claims, and supporting facts.
Ask pairs to debate whether one student's improved grade proves later starts raise everyone's grades, using the words relevant and enough.
Post 'Longer lunches reduce food waste' with cards showing before-and-after tray weights, student votes, bus schedules, and one student's guess; teams rank the support.
Show a phone ad claiming 'best battery life' from one customer review; students name the battery test results needed to check the claim.
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Printable RI.7.8 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- RI.6.8
Identify and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from unsupported claims.
- RI.5.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular claims in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which claim(s).
- RI.1.8
Identify the claim and the reasons an author gives to support the claim in a text.
- RI.8.8
Identify and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recogniz...
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